1:30am: It's time to wrap up the blog for the weekend, and congratulations to those who've stayed with us all the way.

Next weekend we will revert to our Test live blog, as the first Test between Australia and Sri Lanka begins at Bellerive Oval. Thanks to Adrian Crawford who steered the ship through most of the day. This is Andrew McGarry signing off. Good night.

AdelaideStrikers

4 for 164 (19.2 overs)

6 for 162 (20 overs)

Perth Scorchers

Hughes 74 (48)

Putland 2/39 (4)

Mennie 1/29 (4)

Voges 58 (41)

Reardon 42 (26)

Ajmal 1/22 (4)

Hogg 1/33 (4)

S Marsh 57 (45)

12:25am: The Scorchers probably fell 15-20 runs short of setting a winning target but, that said, Adelaide would have struggled without the brilliant performances of Phil Hughes (74) and Nathan Reardon (42). They also benefited from some solid bowling and tight fielding which helped keep Perth under control.

12:15am: That's it! Adelaide Strikers win with four balls left as Theo Doropoulos hefted Ben Edmondson out to the boundary for four. Adelaide finished on 4 for 164, Doropoulos 12 not out and Johan Botha 5 not out. Not surprisingly, Phil Hughes was named man of the match.

12:12am: Adelaide is headed for victory, needing three runs off the final over.

12:08am: Reardon gets out with the first ball of the penultimate over - for 42 off 26 balls - chopping a return catch to Nathan Coulter-Nile, but it's still advantage Adelaide.

12:06am: It's all going pear-shaped for the Scorchers, as Nathan Reardon hammered 15 runs - including two fours and another big six - off the first four balls of Ben Edmondson's over, and suddenly it's down to less than a run a ball! Theo Doropoulos decided to join in the fun, straight-driving Edmondson for another four. He missed the last ball, but 19 off the over means the Strikers are in the driving seat. They need nine runs off two overs.

12:00am: Nathan Reardon has responded to the pressure by belting Nathan Coulter-Nile for a big six after being cramped up for most of the 17th over. Ten runs came off the over, the Strikers need 28 runs to win off three overs. Reardon is the key.

11:54pm: Now it's down to Nathan Reardon, who has just hit Joe Mennie over long-off deep into the stands for a six. A few balls later Mennie was no-balled, giving Reardon a free hit, but he could only take a single. The required run rate is up to nearly 10 an over, with the Strikers 3 for 125 with four overs left. They need 163 to win.

11:47pm: BIG WICKET! Phil Hughes is out for 74, taken in the deep by Adam Voges off Brad Hogg. Hughes had nine fours and one six in his 48-ball knock. The Strikers are now 3 for 111.

11:44pm: Phil Hughes is threatening to turn this into a carbon copy of the earlier game. The Strikers were behind the run rate, but the Strikers' opener has put the foot down, and is on 72 not out off 46 balls. Adelaide are on 2 for 109 after 14 overs, needing 54 runs to win off six overs.

11:36pm: Right now, the Strikers need Phil Hughes to kick on and get an Aaron Finch-like ton. Hughes has brought up his 50 with a big six off Brad Hogg. Hughes is on 57 off 38 balls, Nathan Reardon is on 7 and the Strikers are 2 for 91, needing 71 runs off 48 balls.

11:26pm: Perth have made the breakthrough, with Ben Edmondson dismissing Callum Ferguson for 8 after a mis-timed pull shot went to Adam Voges. The Strikers are 2 for 64 after nine overs, with powerful batsman Nathan Reardon joining Phil Hughes at the crease.

11:21pm: And the crowd goes wild as 41-year-old Brad Hogg enters the attack. Last year Hogg's chinamen deliveries made him close to the top bowler in the Big Bash, taking regular wickets at less than a run a ball. Tonight Phil Hughes has decided to get after him, scoring two boundaries off Hogg's first three balls. Ten runs came off the over and the Strikers are 1 for 58 after eight overs with Hughes on 32, and Callum Ferguson on 7.

11:09pm: The Strikers have lost their first wicket, with Mike Hussey taking a juggled catch to dismiss Michael Klinger for 19 off the bowling of Joe Mennie. The visitors are 1 for 39 in the sixth over.

11:05pm:

It has been a solid but not spectacular start for the Strikers, who are 0 for 24 after four overs, with the not out batsmen Phil Hughes on 11 and Michael Klinger on 13. South Australian bowler Joe Mennie went through Klinger in that over and just failed to draw the edge. The following ball Klinger nearly holed out but survived for a single. Adelaide will need to get a move on here.

SOCCEROOS

10:59pm:

As things get started again in Perth, a quick note about the Socceroos, who have qualified for the finals of the East Asian Cup with an 8-0 win over Chinese Taipei in Hong Kong.

Australia had faced a difficult road to qualify after drawing with North Korea during the week, but a 9-0 drubbing of Guam put them back in the box seat.

Earlier tonight North Korea beat Hong Kong 4-0, meaning the Socceroos had to win by five clear goals to qualify. That was rarely in doubt, with Australia 5-0 up at half-time.

They went on with the job - Adam Taggart and Aziz Behich finished with two goals each, Richard Garcia, Robbie Cornthwaite and Aaron Mooy (who nailed a spectacular free kick over the wall in the 47th minute) each had one goal, while Chao-Hsun-Yang scored an own goal in the 82nd minute.

The only disappointment was Archie Thompson's failure to grab a goal to equal Damian Mori's Socceroos record of 29 international goals.

CRICKET

10:45pm: There may be a fly in the ointment at the WACA, and that is the big clouds hovering overhead. The lights have long been on over in Perth, but it looks like there are a few showers flying around and the Strikers might be well advised to go thump from the start in case of a rain-affected innings.

10:35pm: A captain's knock by Adam Voges has brought the Perth Scorchers up to 6 for 162 after the full 20 overs.

Voges was run out for 58 off 41 balls on the second last ball of the innings. Tom Triffitt (0) went for the ropes and was out caught on the boundary on the last delivery from Saeed Ajmal (1 for 21).

Simon Katich was 8 not out. The Strikers need 163 to win at a tick over eight runs an over, and that is gettable on what looks like a good WACA wicket.

10:21pm: Well that was an eventful innings from NathanCoulter-Nile. He faced six deliveries, scored 14 runs, including a big six, was dropped by Kane Richardson after skying one heavenwards, and finally was caught by Phil Hughes at mid-wicket off the bowling of Gary Putland. The Scorchers are now 4 for 141 in the 18th over.

10:15pm: The home side have kicked on at the WACA, with Shaun Marsh just out off Johan Botha for 57 off 45 balls, including three fours and three sixes. The Scorchers are 3 for 123 after 15.4 overs, with Adam Voges (39 not out) and Nathan Coulter-Nile hoping for a target around 170.

9:43pm: The Strikers have struck again, with Kane Richardson taking his second catch at long -on after Mike Hussey tried to loft Gary Putland down the ground. Hussey was out for 4 and after seven overs, the Scorchers are 2/43 with Adam Voges on 1 and Shaun Marsh on 18.

9:32pm: Well the live blog curse has struck again - Gibbs went for another big hit off Nathan Lyon and was caught by Richardson for 14. After four overs, Perth are 1 for 28.

9:29pm: Scorchers opener Herschelle Gibbs has decided to open up, flicking Kane Richardson for the first boundary of the match, and then backing up with a beautiful big six over mid-wicket - Perth are 0 for 22 after three overs.

9:24pm: First update from the WACA. The Strikers have bowled a tight line early, restricting Perth to 0 for 8 after two overs.

9:22pm: Owais Shah had some praise for the Gabba, his batting partner and the result when he spoke to Zane Bojack after the match:

"This time we're on the right side, we lost the game last year and it sort of spoilt my whole week last year," he laughed.

"So I'm really happy we came off winners tonight.

"It was a great game last year and it was a great game tonight.

"Really good pitch, very good facilities, Travis Birt played really well again like he did last year, he's a class act and I really do enjoy batting with him."

Well, that much is obvious. Here's the interview:

9:18pm: Quickly crossing to Perth for the second game in tonight's Big Bash double-header, the Perth Scorchers have won the toss and have chosen to bat against the Adelaide Strikers.

Hobart Hurricanes

2/175 (19.0 overs)

6/172 (20 overs)

Brisbane Heat

Birt 57* (40)

Wells 39 (33)

Gulbis 3/29 (4)

Hogan 2/22 (4)

J Hopes 1/30 (2)

B Cutting 1/19 (3)

Christian 49 (34)

Burns 44 (27)

Alister Nicholson and Ray Phillips wrap up the Hurricanes' win:

9:08pm: That's all there is folks - Owais Shah (36*) hits a boundary on the free-hit ball and brings up the winning runs. And with that I'll hand the reins over to the extremely capable Andrew McGarry for the final furlong.

Thisara Perera hit a six and a four off Ben Laughlin in the last over to finish unbeaten on 22 from eight balls. James Hopes was the other man not out for 9 off 6.

Gulbis was the best of the Hurricanes bowlers with 3 for 29 off four overs.

7:16pm: The Heat are cooling down at a trot now. They're 6 for 142 after Ben Cutting (10) made his way back to the pavilion with 13 deliveries to face.

"He's been gobbling up wickets at the Gabba," says Zane Bojack. Boom boom.

7:13pm: Hobart is starting to pick up some momentum - Peter Forrest is now back in the sheds after going for 13 off 17 to give Gulbis his second scalp. Brisbane is 5 for 137.

7:09pm: Dan Christian is the next man to fall for the Heat, dragging Ben Laughlin onto his stumps for 49 off 34.

Unlucky to depart just before his half-century. Brisbane is 4 for 135.

Ben Cutting is the next cab off the rank, so the home crowd will be stoked. He's in a real purple patch in domestic cricket with bat and ball this year.

7:02pm: Brisbane Heat are in a pretty solid position with three-quarters of their allocated overs gone. The hosts are 3 for 120 after 15 overs, which calculates to a handy eight per over.

Best of all, says Grandstand's expert commentator Ray Phillips in the box, the Heat have seven wickets in hand which means the time is ripe to throw the willow at it.

GOLF

7:00pm: It's been a wild old day at The Lakes for the final round of the Australian Open, with wild weather delaying proceedings for over three hours.

What we can tell you at this point is that Peter Senior has a one-stroke lead through 15 holes, reaching 4-under ahead of Englishman Justin Rose and Aussie Brendan Jones, who are both at 3-under. Jones is in the clubhouse, Rose is on the blooming 13th (sorry).

Senior won the tournament back in 1989. Can he do it again?

A-LEAGUE

Western Sydney Wanderers

1

v

0

Brisbane Roar

S Ono 88'

6:56pm: Full-time in Parramatta and the chocolates go to the home team. Western Sydney has wandered off with a 1-0 win over the struggling defending champions thanks to Shinji Ono.

6:49pm: Goal to Western Sydney! Marquee man Shinji Ono has set the Parramatta Stadium crowd alight (figuratively, of course) with a goal from the penalty spot to put the Wanderers up 1-0 at the death.

Three minutes to go in regulation time and Ono comes through with his first goal of the season, 10 rounds in.

CRICKET

6:45pm: Hold that thought. It's now 3 for 88 after Burns departs for 44 off 27, caught by Bailey off the bowling of Evan Gulbis. The Heat are chugging along at eight runs an over after the first 11. Tidy stuff.

6:42pm: After 10 overs Brisbane has reached 2 for 76 thanks to some bat-swinging from Joe Burns and Dan Christian. They're giving the Gabba faithful a real treat so far.

HORSE RACING

6:26pm: In the sport of kings, English stayer Red Cadeaux has claimed an overdue Group One win in the Hong Kong International Vase at Sha Tin.

Denied victory by the barest of margins in the 2011 Melbourne Cup won by Dunaden, the Ed Dunlop-trained Red Cadeaux burst through the pack to claim a narrow win over Japanese horse Jaguar Mail.

CRICKET

6:25pm: The Heat have lost another one at the hands of Hogan, this time Luke Pomersbach for 6. The former Western Australian was snagged in the deep by a great running catch to George Bailey to leave Brisbane at 2 for 39.

6:16pm: First blood has been drawn, with Shane Watson falling to Michael Hogan for 17 off 14 after hitting the first six of the match.

Xavier Doherty took a relatively simple catch at mid-off. Brisbane is 1 for 24.

6:01pm: All the action is about to get underway at the Gabba between the Heat and Hurricanes. Listen live here.

And Doug Bollinger's first delivery has gone for four...Steve Harmison-style. Woah.

A-LEAGUE

5:54pm: It's another tight one to complete round 10 of the A-League at Parramatta Stadium, with no score at half-time between Western Sydney Wanderers and Brisbane Roar.

There may have been no goals, but there were plenty of attacking opportunities for both sides.

The home side started with intent, with Iacopo La Rocca blazing over in the opening minute.

The Roar also missed a couple of clear-cut chances - in the 25th minute Henrique ran in from the right wing onto a great through ball, only for Wanderers keeper Ante Covic to spread himself and stop the Brisbane player from getting his shot off.

Brisbane should have scored four minutes later, when Ben Halloran was put through on the left, only to slide his shot just wide of the post with the keeper beaten.

4:45pm: Out at The Lakes, John Senden holds a two-stroke lead at 5-under in the final round ahead of Peter Senior and Justin Rose, who are both 3-under.

Meanwhile Jim Maxwell says it's getting a bit dull and grey out there and while it doesn't look like it will rain, the wind is still making things very difficult. Light - or lack thereof - will be an issue.

HOCKEY

4:44pm: At half-time, Australia and The Netherlands are still locked at 1-1 in Melbourne. Anything can happen after the break - tune in to ABC1 to watch live.

4:38pm: GOAL KOOKABURRAS! It's all square at 1-1 in the Champions Trophy final thanks to Russell Ford.

A-LEAGUE

Wellington Phoenix

1

v

2

Sydney FC

J Brockie 90+2'

S Ryall 45+1'

R Grant 69'

4:29pm: It's getting chippy out there after Sebastian Ryall went to ground. The referee wasn't impressed and more or less told him to get up or get off.

But that's all there is - Sydney FC prevails 2-1.

4:25pm: The Phoenix have hit back! Jeremy Brockie the man responsible from the penalty spot. Undermanned Sky Blues still lead 2-1, with two minutes of injury time remaining.

HOCKEY

4:24pm: The Netherlands have struck from the first penalty corner of the game, with Sander Baart finding the back of the goal. It's 1-0 to the Dutch.

A-LEAGUE

4:20pm: Advantage for Wellington! McFlynn was handed his second yellow card and Sydney is down to 10 men with a couple of minutes remaining.

The Sky Blues still lead 2-0 though...but for how long?

4:16pm: There's less than 10 minutes of regular time left in Wellington and the Phoenix are trailing Sydney FC 2-0.

Rhyan Grant was the second Sky Blue to get on the board with a 69th-minute strike off an assist from veteran skipper Terry McFlynn.

Can the Phoenix rise (sorry) from here?

HOCKEY

4:10pm: Early in the first half there's no score between the Kookaburras and The Netherlands.

Quentin Hull and Dan Lonergan reckon it's a beautiful day in Melbourne - not nearly as hot as it was yesterday - and there's a bit of a breeze around.

Don't forget you can watch the Champions Trophy final live on ABC1.

GOLF

4:06pm: Our own David Morrow has a telling statistic from The Lakes. The wild weather that delayed the final round for over three hours today has caused a huge shift on the scorecard.

Coming into the final round, 26 players were under the card, but now only 12 are in the red still.

How it's going to shape up is anyone's guess.

W-LEAGUE

4:00pm: In a quick around-the-grounds from the women's round-ball game, defending champion Canberra United has returned to the upper echelon of the W-League with a 1-0 win over Newcastle.

Perth Glory, who drew with Brisbane Roar 2-2 despite leading by two goals at half-time, remain two points clear at the top of the ladder.

Melbourne Victory and Sydney FC were also unable to be separated, playing out a 1-1 draw.

Meanwhile the competition's newest franchise Western Sydney buried the lowly Lady Reds from Adelaide United with a 4-0 thrashing.

A-LEAGUE

3:53pm: At the hour mark in Wellington it's still 1-0 to Sydney FC.

TWITTERVERSE

3:50pm: A bit of colour before the action gets underway at the State Hockey and Netball Centre where Australia is set to take on The Netherlands for the Champions Trophy title.

We've been asking all day who you'd buy a Christmas present for, and what it would be. Here are some of our favourites from you guys on Twitter.

@GoobaFish i'd buy Jamie Whincup a 1 way ticket to Europe - to give every other V8 driver a chance!

@AndyofSuburbia A high diving board for Arsenal's Santi Carzorla!

@mtweet80 I'd buy Ricky Stuart a halfback ....

@cashy44 We would like to give Mark Webber some slightly quicker reflexes for Xmas

India scored a late goal from a penalty corner after the buzzer but Pakistan had done enough to escape the half-time 1-1 deadlock to clinch a 3-2 win.

The world number nine Pakistanis have not won a Champions Trophy medal since 2004 when they also took bronze.

In under an hour the Kookaburras will chase their unprecedented fifth Champions Trophy title when they take on The Netherlands. Stay tuned.

3:00pm: While we wait to find out who's going to take bronze in the thrilling third-place decider between India and Pakistan, here's a bit of colour from the lead-up to the Belgium-Germany clash.

Dare we ask for captions?

GOLF

2:54pm: Play is finally back underway in the final round of the Australian Open at The Lakes in Sydney, with the wild winds dying down somewhat.

The risk now though, according to Jim Maxwell, is running out of daylight with players spending more time over the ball in the tough conditions.

The attrition rate is going to be something to behold, David Morrow reckons.

CRICKET

2:46pm: Southern Stars veteran Lisa Sthalekar just dropped in for a quick chat with Walshy. She said that her opinions of Twenty20 cricket have changed as she has become a ... "more senior" member of the squad.

"It brings teams closer together, it gives everyone an even playing field."

And sticking with today's festive theme, which sporting personality does she want to buy a Christmas present for and why?

"Pat Rafter ... he seems like such a beachy kind of guy, I don't know if he is, so maybe a surfboard?

"I think he'd suit that pretty well. And obviously a cricket bat to throw in for the beach cricket."

@niavowens Pakistan get the early 2nd half goal, they lead India 2-1 with 27' left to play. India have a penalty corner though...

BASKETBALL

2:30pm: Walshy's cavalcade of Australian sporting personalities continues with Opals star Erin Phillips, who just won her first WNBA title with Indiana Fever.

She's just recounted a tale about her Twitter brush with NBA legend and former Pacers star Reggie Miller.

Listen back to their conversation below.

HOCKEY

2:27pm: It's half-time in the Champions Trophy bronze medal match and India and Pakistan are locked at 1-1. Big second half coming up for sure.

CRICKET

2:24pm: For all you Big Bash fans, stay tuned. Our man in Perth Brett Sprigg says we'll have some special talent on-air very shortly:

@BrettSprigg Patrick Cummins is testament to the fact that T20 cricket can launch a career. He'll talk to @abcgrandstand within the hour.

CYCLING

2:19pm:Tour Down Under director Mike Turtur is on the line to Peter Walsh now, and he reckons he'd give Anna Meares a "big Christmas cake" on December 25.

As for what gift he'd get Walshy?

"I can't say that on air."

Righto. Have a listen to their full chat below.

GOLF

2:12pm: Out at The Lakes, Jim Maxwell says conditions have been what the players would call "brutal". Glad I'm in the office.

However he reckons we should see some action within the next 45 minutes, which is good news all around.

A-LEAGUE

2:05pm: Coming up at 2:30pm (AEDT) you can join our colleagues at NZ Radio Sport as they call the action from Wellington when the Phoenix take on Sydney FC.

1:49pm: Walshy got to catch up with FFA boss David Gallop at Hindmarsh Stadium on Friday night where Adelaide United laid a 4-2 beating on Melbourne Victory.

Gallop, who's only recently taken the reins from Ben Buckley in the round-ball game's top job in Australia, impressed the importance of the women's game to the development of football Down Under.

He said 20 per cent of participants in the sport in Australia are now female.

Have a listen to the full interview below.

TENNIS

1:44pm: Grandstand's Peter Walsh has spoken to Newcombe Medallist Sam Stosur about a number of topics, including what's topping her Christmas wishlist:

"My dad said to me just the other week, 'what am I going to get you for Christmas? I don't know what to get you.

"You know, I probably wouldn't mind a nice pair of earrings."

She says the 2013 season will be as tough as ever, but even in a tightening field, she thinks another grand slam title may be just around the corner.

"Firstly to try and stay healthy so I can finish another great year. I'd love to try and win some titles and another grand slam," she said.

"It will be a tough year I'm sure ... and hopefully I can have a better one than in 2012.

"To have three years in the top 10 now and having won a grand slam I know I'm capable of doing that. Everyone's going out there to do the same thing ... certainly pretty hard to do but if you keep positive and do all the right things, anything's possible."

Listen to the interview below.

1:27pm: A brief selection of your thoughts on the best gift ideas for your favourite sportsmen and sportswomen on our Facebook page:

1:03pm: Here's one of the latest images out of The Lakes course. It gives you an idea of what damage the wind is doing while the golfers twiddle their thumbs.

12:55pm: Australian Open director Trevor Herden has told Grandstand the winds that have interrupted the fourth round at The Lakes course in Sydney are a fair bit stronger than the Weather Bureau predicted.

He says he is hoping for play to resume around 1:30pm, but the round may need to be completed tomorrow.

12:37pm: Our big question for you today is: If you could buy a Christmas present for your favourite sportsman or sportswoman in the world, what would it be? Share your gift ideas with us on Twitter at @abcgrandstand, or hit us up on the Facebook page.

Grandstand's Dan Lonergan has thrown in his two cents on the topic: "You probably know Roger Federer is my favourite sportsperson ... I'm thinking to get him on my side, what about a framed Western Bulldogs jumper, autographed?"

Peter Wilkins called the game on ABC1 yesterday - here he is giving his take on the semi-final win over India.

GOLF

12:25pm: We'll be keeping an eye on the golf throughout the day during the final round of the Australian Open at The Lakes course in Sydney.

However, it's not looking great at this point in time after play was called off due to gale-force winds battering the course, with the ball moving on some greens amid gusts of up to 75 kilometres an hour.

On Grandstand Breakfast, Francis Leach spoke to tournament director Andrew Langford-Jones, who was expecting today's gusty conditions. He said some of the early tee-offs could have an opportunity to get close to Senden.

One man who was looking to do a lot better than yesterday was American Tom Watson (pictured below) who struggled in round three with a 78.

It was much better this morning after he got through his 18 holes before the winds took hold with a 3-under-par 69.

PREMIER LEAGUE

12:20pm: In England, Fernando Torres emerged from his 770-minute Premier League scoring drought with a brace that helped Chelsea to a first league win in eight games, beating Sunderland 3-1 at the Stadium of Light.

There was a good old fashioned diving controversy at the Emirates Stadium in London as Arsenal beat West Brom 2-0 thanks to two penalties from Mikel Arteta.

Both spot kicks came in controversial circumstances after midfielder Santi Cazorla looked to take a blatant dive in the area in the first half, before England midfielder Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain fouled a defender before getting fouled himself in the box for the second penalty.

12:15pm: In the A-League, the Central Coast Mariners are back on top of the table after Danny McBreen added to his leading-scorer tally with both goals in their 2-0 win over Newcastle at Hunter Stadium

Earlier on Saturday, the Melbourne Heart enjoyed a late winner in its 1-0 win over Perth Glory thanks to a debut goal from substitute Golgol Mebrahtu.

The Mariners (23) sit a point above Adelaide United (22) in first place, while the Heart leapfrogs Perth into sixth spot with 12 points.

12:12pm: Let's start with some overnight results, and it was the Sixers that drew first blood in the Big Bash Sydney derby. Brad Haddin smashed 59 runs off 48 balls to lead his side to a seven-wicket win over the Sydney Thunder.

Kerry O'Keefe spoke to Grandstand Breakfast this morning to give his take on proceedings.

If you're more the video type, ABC's Sacha Mirzabegian wraps up the Sydney proceedings.

12:10pm: A good Sunday afternoon to you. I'm Adrian Crawford and I'll be taking you through all the sporting action from around the country, bringing you the news and results as they break.

As always, we'll be scouring the twitterverse and Facebook for what you've got to say on the day's happenings. We'll have questions and polls too, so get tweeting and Facebooking and we'll run the best comments in the blog.